New Delhi: Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi on Sunday arrested a passenger and seized 2.759 kg of suspected hydroponic weed, a high-potency form of cannabis, during an anti-smuggling operation.

The passenger had arrived from Phuket on an Air India flight and was intercepted after crossing the Customs Green Channel based on passenger profiling through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).

Suspicious Baggage Scan Leads to Drug Seizure

During X-ray screening of the passenger’s baggage, Customs officials detected suspicious images. A detailed search led to the recovery of four vacuum-sealed packets containing a green-coloured substance suspected to be hydroponic weed (ganja).

The total weight of the seized substance, including the packaging material, was 2,759 grams.

According to Delhi Customs, the passenger has been arrested under Section 43(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, while the suspected narcotics and concealment material were seized under Section 43(a) of the Act.

Investigation Underway

Officials said further investigation is underway to determine the source and intended destination of the seized contraband, as well as whether the accused is linked to a larger drug trafficking network.

Customs authorities are also examining the passenger’s travel history and other possible connections.

DRI Intensifies Crackdown on Smuggling Networks

In a separate development, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently carried out intelligence-led operations across the country, leading to the seizure of foreign-origin gold, heroin, MDMA, hydroponic weed, red sanders, prohibited wildlife products, e-cigarettes, foreign-origin poppy seeds and areca nuts.

The operations resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals, including five foreign nationals, involved in smuggling and trafficking activities.

In one major operation on July 29, DRI officials at IGI Airport intercepted two foreign nationals arriving from Dubai and recovered 40 foreign-origin gold bars weighing 4 kg concealed inside specially fabricated secret cavities in their luggage. Both passengers were arrested under the relevant provisions of the law.